On Oct. 21 USM Police requested a rescue unit for an intoxicated juvenile who was vomiting.
When police arrived at the room where the drinking allegedly took place, they confiscated an empty bottle of Bicardi Rum Limon.
Police are investigating the case for possible charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor.
A newer, tougher drinking law could lead to serious jail time for whoever furnished the minor.
The new law states that any person furnishing alcohol to a minor who gets sick or injured from drinking will face a felony charge instead of a misdemeanor. The law took effect Sept. 21.
USM Police dealt with two incidents last year where people were charged for furnishing alcohol to a minor who became ill. Both were prosecuted as misdemeanors. Currently there is one case under investigation. No charges have been filed yet.
The new law was needed, according to USM Police Chief Lisa Beecher.
Beecher said she feels underage drinking is a problem at USM, as well as at every other college campus.
“We know about a small amount of underage drinking that takes place, but there is still so much that we don’t even know about,” she said.
Several laws have been changed, including the drinking laws.
The first deals with when minors can drink in the presence of their parents.
The Act to Clarify the Laws Prohibiting Consumption or Possession of Alcohol prohibits a minor from consuming or possessing liquor except in a home in the presence of a parent, legal guardian or custodian. Even if minors live on their own without a parent, legal guardian or custodian, they still may not possess or consume any liquor in their home.
If someone furnishes alcohol to a minor and is not the minor’s parent, legal guardian or custodian, and the minor gets sick or injured, the party who furnished the alcohol is charged with a felony.
If a minor consumes too much alcohol in the presence of a guardian, the guardian is not charged because he or she followed the Act to Clarify the Laws Prohibiting Consumption or Possession of Alcohol, according to Brian MacMaster, chief of investigation for the State Attorney General’s Office.
Another change deals with fines for underage drinking.
Minors who are caught consuming alcohol receive a fine. However, fines for violating the Act to Discourage Underage Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor have increased. Previously the law stated that a minor’s first offense could result in a fine of at least $100 to a maximum of $300, second offense, $200 to $500, and the third offense $500 and up. Now the first offense is a minimum of $200 to $400, the second offense is $300 to $600, and the third offense carries a minimum fine of $600.
Under this law, courts now also have the authority to suspend driving privileges for anyone caught with a fake ID.
This year, USM Police have not yet confiscated any fake IDs, according to USM Detective Sergeant Ron Saindon.
Staff Writer Aimee Risteen can be contacted at: [email protected]